We've seen dolphins, a 'gator, and sunken sailboats. Also bayous. You know you're in the south when you're in a bayou..."southern" for a swampy area. (More or less.) We've entered the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW). After crossing the wide-and-shallow Mobile Bay -- about 30 miles across -- we spent last night at Lulu's Homeport … Continue reading The Intracoastal (Days 93-94)
Just who are these people who do The Great Loop? It's said that fewer than 200 boats complete the loop each year, but many more do at least part of it. We've met at least 70 if them in three months under way. I began to ask them the same questions: Where and when did … Continue reading Who Are “The Loopers?”
Mobile Bay near our marina. Now, the tides. Since starting The Great Loop, we've become very familiar with winds and currents. Winds still matter, as proven these past three days -- but also, here, the tides. So now, I have yet another new app on my phone called "Tides Near Me." It works great and … Continue reading Mobile Bay (Day 90+)
Our route from north to south. Blue dots represent stops. Whew. We made it! We've said that many times on this trip, after reaching a particular milestone or the end of a trying day. This is a big one. We've gone from the top of the country (near the Canadian border) to the bottom (near … Continue reading To The Gulf! (Day 89)
We passed a milestone today; one-third the distance of The Great Loop. We did it in about three months. Does that matter? Not really. But when you live from one meal or mile to the next, counting milestones helps track the passage. People often ask "How long does it take to do The Great Loop?" … Continue reading 2,000 Miles (Day 88)
We're anchored tonight in a river that has traffic all night, thinking about a day of record-breaking. Today was a record for Many Moons in both miles and hours -- almost 86 miles and 10 hours under way. We've entered the desolate stretch, from Demopolis to the Gulf of Mexico. (See last post.) The idea … Continue reading Anchoring in the River (Day 87)
Here in Demopolis, Ala., I'm again observing two general types of people on The Great Loop: those who want to plan and those who don't. It's obvious on our boat, but I hear about it from other boats too. Most seem to have one of each kind on board, so there's a constant negotiation of … Continue reading To Plan or Not to Plan (Day 86)
After a long but relaxing day (61 miles) on the Tombigbee, we find ourselves in Demopolis, Alabama. Sounds Greek, right? That's because it is Greek, for "City of the People." I wonder how many people in this city know that? It was founded in 1817 by Napoleonic exiles. I don't know who they were, but … Continue reading To Demopolis (Day 85)
Many Moons at anchor in Lower Cook's Bend, Tombigbee River There's snow in the air at home in Michigan. Here in Alabama, it's in the 80s. That's why many Yoopers (people from Michigan's Upper Peninsula) go south for the winter. And some of us do it by boat. Of course, it's not winter yet. It … Continue reading Into Alabama (Day 84)
So, we had a relaxed cruise on the Tombigbee Waterway and we're coming into our next marina at Columbus, Miss. This marina is just before our next lock, but it's not visible from the river. The sweet guy working there is kindly guiding us in. "Just look for the yellow sail in front of the … Continue reading Sail or Sell? Into the Deep South (Day 82)
For Many Moons 